Anxiety

Anxiety can look very different from person to person, and it can affect everyone in very different ways.

Symptoms of anxiety can be emotional, cognitive (how they think) or physical. These symptoms can vary by age.

Emotional and cognitive symptoms can look like:

• A child worrying about a caregiver’s well-being and safety
• A child who has trouble separating from a caregiver
• Nervousness in school or when taking tests
• Worry about meeting new people or participating in new activities

Physical symptoms of anxiety can look like:

• Sweating
• Getting red in the face
• Body aches like a headache or stomachache
• Tense muscles
• Restlessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in eating habits

Younger children may show their anxiety through crying, screaming, aggression (such as hitting), running away or hiding. Older children and teenagers may be irritable, restless or withdrawn. These behaviors may affect overall family functioning.

Assessment

If you think your child may have an anxiety disorder, you can make an appointment with a specialist at Riley Children’s Health to discuss your concerns. At your appointment, you and your child may meet virtually or in person with a provider, such as a psychologist, medical doctor or nurse practitioner. You and the provider will discuss your child’s behavior and how they have developed over time. At the end of the appointment, the provider may talk to you about an anxiety diagnosis and recommendations.

Younger children s may be diagnosed with an unspecified anxiety disorder because they aren’t yet able to fully communicate their own experiences. In these cases, your provider may recommend that you see a counselor who can further evaluate your child and clarify their diagnosis.

Your child may also be diagnosed with specific anxiety disorders, such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Selective mutism
• Social anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Specific phobia